Tensions between Brazil and the United States escalated this week following President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods in response to legal proceedings against former President Jair Bolsonaro. Brazilian officials, including President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, condemned the move as “unacceptable blackmail.” The economic implications are severe, with estimates suggesting up to 120,000 Brazilian jobs could be at risk. The Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council warned that the tariffs would negatively affect producers on both sides of the Atlantic, citing mutual dependencies in the agricultural sector. Brasília is now urgently seeking diplomatic solutions to prevent further economic disruption and reputational damage, signalling it will not compromise its judicial independence to appease foreign governments.

Rare earth minerals

As Brazil finds itself caught in a deepening rift with the U.S., the Lula administration is doubling down on its geopolitical alignment with BRICS countries. Sources close to the foreign ministry revealed a strategic effort to strengthen ties with China and Russia, particularly in critical sectors such as rare earths, clean energy, and digital infrastructure. Brazilian rare earth exports to China have reportedly tripled since 2022, and new proposals are under review for co-developing mineral processing facilities. Analysts interpret this pivot as a deliberate move to diversify partnerships and reduce dependency on U.S. markets, particularly after recent tariff threats.

COP30 expectations

With less than a year to go until Brazil hosts the COP30 climate summit in Belém, global environmental leaders are looking to President Lula to step up. Brazil, which holds more than 60% of the Amazon rainforest, faces mounting pressure to deliver concrete results in combating deforestation, enforcing environmental protection laws, and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Recent assessments from global think tanks suggest Brazil and Indonesia are uniquely positioned to reshape global climate negotiations—but only if their domestic policies align with their international pledges.

Assassination plot revealed

Security and democratic stability in Brazil were jolted this week following revelations that retired General Mario Fernandes had planned coordinated attacks against top officials, including President Lula. In testimony that shocked the nation, Fernandes confirmed his involvement in the so-called “Green and Yellow Dagger” plot , aimed at reinstating former President Bolsonaro through military insurrection. The admission has sparked widespread condemnation, with lawmakers demanding deeper investigations into the presence of extremist networks within Brazil’s armed forces. Security experts warn that these developments expose lingering threats to democratic institutions and the rule of law, underscoring the urgency for defence reform and better civilian oversight of military leadership.

Illegal Gambling Crackdown

The federal government is escalating its crackdown on illegal online gambling , turning its attention to financial technology companies allegedly providing backdoor services to betting platforms. This week, the Finance Ministry launched new investigations into fintechs that may be laundering proceeds from unlicensed betting operators. Finance Minister Fernando Haddad emphasised the importance of regulatory reform to ensure transparency in digital payments and protect the financial ecosystem from criminal infiltration. The crackdown has triggered concerns within the startup and tech sectors, with industry leaders calling for clearer guidelines to avoid overregulation.

Despite the ambitious pledges, questions about the implementation and progress achieved since COP28 linger. Has the summit's pledge translated into tangible action? Has it catalysed meaningful progress in renewable energy plans?

Key Outcomes

The summit ended with a historic agreement - the first-ever commitment to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Over one hundred countries have pledged to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, indicating a collective move towards a sustainable energy future.

The agreement does not demand the immediate phasing out of coal, oil, and gas, but it sends a clear message that the world is committed to moving away from fossil fuels. As of December 8, around 130 countries had signed up.

After COP26 in 2021, nations committed to more ambitious climate strategies, but by September 2022, only 22 out of 196 countries had fulfilled this pledge. COP27 resulted in an accord to allocate "loss and damage" funding to support vulnerable nations facing severe climate change impacts.

Nearly 200 countries have agreed to reduce fossil fuel consumption, emphasising renewable energy as the future cornerstone. They aim to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, signalling a clear message to markets that renewables are the way forward.

Progress after COP28

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), countries are on track to meet the target of tripling global renewables by 2030 if current trends persist.

Recently, the European Union (EU) cited COP 28 in its new 2040 climate target, signalling a step towards a greater ambition in combating climate change.

According to Pedro Pedroso, the lead climate negotiator for the G77 group, which represents 135 developing nations the success of the agreements made at COP28 relies heavily on the actions of major polluters, particularly wealthy nations who bear historical responsibility for the climate crisis. For instance, just five Western countries account for 51% of all oil and gas expansion , with the United States leading.

Aligned with COP28 commitments, the Biden administration in January decided to halt the construction of new liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals in the United States. Jennifer Morgan, Germany's Special Envoy for Climate Foreign Policy, and Laurence Tubiana, co-architect of the Paris Agreement , linked the United States' decision to halt LNG terminals to the momentum generated by COP28's commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels.

However, reports indicate that global fossil fuel producers are preparing for growth that would double the planet's carbon budget.

Saudi Arabia, one of the nations with the highest carbon emissions in a recent directive to state-owned oil company Aramco, has raised questions about potential shifts in the fossil fuels industry.

“We are transitioning, and transitioning means that our oil company, which is a hydrocarbons company, now is becoming an energy company, with investments that go into all areas like oil, gas petrochemicals and renewable energy,” Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at a conference in Dhahran said .

"We knew it was necessary to analyse the problem from a gender perspective, to find data," explained Carolline. According to their findings, women in rural areas bear most of the burden, as they are considered primarily responsible for finding water for their households and have to trek miles to the nearest distribution point. 

As a native of Pocinhos, a city in the Northeast region of Brazil, Carolline navigated her childhood amidst challenges in water access and a sense of neglect from national governments. Motivated by shared experiences with other members of CAJU, they aimed to participate in COP28 to secure funds and establish connections with leaders, influencers, decision-makers, and potential project funders. Most of them had already taken part in COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland, while pursuing postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom with the support of a British scholarship. 

But this time, the team was unable to gather the resources for their journey, despite trying until the last days. They say that they reached out to colleagues, national governmental agencies, international organisations and NGOs, but couldn’t secure the necessary financial support.

“We even had the official credentials in our hands," said Carolline, emphasising their frustration at being so close to their goal and yet unable to reach it. She added that they even changed the original plan, reducing the number of participants from four to just one, but without success. 

The Brazilian activist also regrets that they received official acceptance from COP one and a half months before the event when flight and hotel prices were already high. “From Brazil, the tickets were already around $2,000 at that time,” she explained, highlighting that these deadlines can be particularly challenging for people who have to travel long distances. 

Carolline and her colleagues' testimony raises a critical issue: the unequal representation of the countries most vulnerable to climate change in the largest climate event.

A study on this topic highlights a historical underrepresentation of the Global South in international conferences on climate change. The research asserts that perspectives are unevenly represented in these negotiations, as NGOs from the Global North still constitute the vast majority. In COP21 in Paris , it was revealed that NGOs from the Global South accounted for only 25 per cent of the total representation. This disparity became even more concerning during the COVID-19 pandemic, as strict vaccination rules and skyrocketing hotel and travel prices added an additional layer to the challenges.

The unequal representation extends to academic research as well. A study conducted by Carbon Brief analysed the gender and country affiliation of approximately 1,300 authors who contributed to the 100 most cited climate change research papers from 2016 to 2020. The findings revealed that nine out of every ten authors were affiliated with institutions from the Global North – defined as North America, Europe, and Oceania.

According to the same investigation, none of the top 100 most-cited climate science papers were led by a scientist from Africa or South America. Despite these regions being among the worst hit by climate change, academics struggle to be published, with fewer than 1% of the authors included in the study based in Africa.

The story of Carolline and her team illustrates the challenges faced by many voices from the South trying to participate in crucial discussions on climate issues. The four women now advocate for inclusion, echoing others who call for a shift in power dynamics, decision-making, and representation.

“We need more resources to continue our research, but mainly to fund projects that can urgently address and improve these realities. Sometimes, it is just necessary to raise awareness", Carolline said.

The Brazilian activist also wonders: Can these changes occur before trust in international mechanisms erodes entirely, or before climate change causes irreparable harm to the most vulnerable communities?

What they said

Norway Minister of Foreign Affairs, Espen Barth Eide said, "It is the first time that the world unites around such a clear text on the need to transition away from fossil fuels." Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore welcomed the deal, but said: "The influence of petrostates is still evident in the half measures and loopholes included in the final agreement." Rachel Cleetus, policy director at the Union of Concerned Scientists, praised the climate deal, but noted, "The finance and equity provisions... are seriously insufficient and must be improved in the time ahead in order to ensure low- and middle-income countries can transition to clean energy and close the energy poverty gap."

President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina explained that ACRIFA aims to mobilize $1 billion in concessionary financing, high-risk capital, and grants to support the African insurance industry , the AFDB announced.

“We have to support farmers, not abandon them, in the face of rising frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like drought, floods and pest infestation…We need to ensure that farmers and actors along the agricultural value chain are covered by insurance at scale,” the Bank President said.

“The eyes of more than 40 million smallholder farmers in Africa are on us. Let us make ACRIFA the answer to their prayers…ACRIFA will systematically support the African insurance industry to unlock financing for investments in climate-smart and green technologies,” he added.

The facility received widespread acclaim from entities such as the World Food Programme (WFP), development agencies, insurance companies, and the private sector during a side event at COP28 in Dubai.

The Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain added, “The climate crisis is affecting agricultural communities across Africa. This programme will play an important role in protecting smallholder [farmers], pastoralists and small businesses from climate shocks.”

“The climate crisis is affecting agricultural communities across Africa. This programme will play an important role in protecting smallholder [farmers], pastoralists and small businesses from climate shocks…We are excited about our growing partnership with the African Development Bank, which is allowing us to offer more support to governments, as they respond to the climate crisis,” said McCain.

The Nepali government has formed a high-level committee to thoroughly investigate concerns surrounding the Ncell share transaction. Initiated during a Cabinet meeting, the committee will delve into the purchase and sale of shares in Ncell, the nation's largest private telecom company. This decision comes in response to the recent announcement by Malaysian company Axiata, disclosing the sale of 80% of its Ncell shares to Spectrolite UK Limited for $50 million. With a one-month deadline for findings, the committee's formation reflects a collective commitment to transparency and addressing concerns related to this significant business transaction.

Nepal misses opportunity to amend trade treaty as automatic renewal with India takes effect

The chance to negotiate crucial amendments to the Nepal-India trade treaty has been missed, with its automatic renewal in November, according to The Kathmandu Post. Signed in 1978 and last amended in October 2016, the treaty renews automatically every seven years. Experts criticize Nepal for not proposing changes during a trade treaty meeting, despite suggesting amendments. The lack of priority from India complicates matters, and potential amendments are postponed until 2030. This may impact economic ties, evidenced by a 14.35 percent year-on-year decline in imports from India to Nepal, totaling Rs 1 trillion in the last fiscal year ending in mid-July.

Six granted bail and released in Nepal's fake Bhutanese refugee case

Six individuals implicated in Nepal's fake Bhutanese refugee case have been released from prison following the Patan High Court's acceptance of bail payments, according to reports by Rato Pati. Among those released are Shamsher Miya, Narendra KC, Haribhakta Maharjan, Ram Sharan KC, and Sandeep Rayamajhi, the son of former Deputy Prime Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, who is also detained in the same case. The joint bench of High Court Judges Janak Pandey and Prakash Kharel granted their release on bail on December 1. However, Bhutanese refugee leader Teknath Rizal remains incarcerated as he has yet to pay the ordered bail amount of 1.5 million Nepali Rupees.

Electric pole damaged in 2004 Maoist-Army clash returns to Myagdi

A historic electric pole, damaged during the intense clash between the then CPN-Maoists and the Royal Nepali Army in 2004, is set to return to Myagdi district. The Madan Puraskar Pustakalaya (MPP) brought the pole to Lalitpur district in 2006, placing it at Yalmaya Center in Patandhoka. As part of the ongoing peace process, locals had demanded the pole's return to Beni in the Myagdi district. Kanakamani Dixit, president of MPP, announced that the pole would be installed in Shanti Park, under construction in Beni Municipality-7. The pole, marked by bullet damage, bears witness to the historic Beni clash that resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

Global City leaders unite against air pollution at COP-28

Leaders from eight major cities worldwide, including Kathmandu, made a joint commitment to combat air pollution during the 28th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP-28) in the UAE. Affiliated with the Global Partnership for Healthy Cities network, these city leaders formalized their dedication through a Zoom meeting. Cities involved in this initiative include Chicago, Bucharest, Fortaleza, Jakarta, Dhaka, Kigali, Kampala, and Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Emphasizing cities' significant impact on global challenges, the leaders released a joint statement urging cities worldwide to implement robust air monitoring programs and advocate for data-driven public health services to improve residents' well-being, representing a united effort against global air pollution.

Developing countries, faced with the urgent need to adapt to global warming, are seeking substantial financial assistance, with estimates indicating the requirement of hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

Additionally, substantial investments are imperative for transitioning to clean energy.

Countries particularly vulnerable to climate change are urging significant funding allocations to combat costly disasters like floods and storms.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasized the need for immediate decisions on fund allocation to realize the ambitious expectations set by the conference.

Mottley proposed exploring taxation as a viable means to generate climate change funding, suggesting a 1.0% tax on global financial services could yield $420 billion.

She further outlined the potential of a 5% tax on global oil and gas sales, projecting an additional $200 billion for climate change investments.

Mottley's proposals align with calls for innovative financial mechanisms to address climate challenges.

During COP 28, the United States pledged three billion dollars to the "Green Climate Fund" to combat climate change effects.

Simultaneously, proposals to end fossil fuel subsidies gained traction, with activists and leaders, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, advocating for their termination. Fossil fuel subsidies currently reach an unprecedented $3 trillion annually.

Suhail Al Mazrouei, the UAE's Minister of Energy, emphasized the necessity of investing in hydrocarbons to prevent price hikes during the transition to clean energy.

The UAE further signaled its commitment to exploring advanced nuclear reactor development by partnering with Terra Power LLC, founded by Bill Gates.

While negotiations among participating countries continue, the UAE authorities allowed a limited protest rally, marking an unprecedented move in the context of the COP 28 summit.

The rally was permitted under stringent conditions, reflecting a delicate balance between advocacy and security concerns.

The Nigerian government has said that the Federal Government of the West African nation funded a total of 422 delegates to the Climate Summit in Dubai following criticisms of the Nigerian government for allegedly funding 1,400 delegates. The Nigerian Ministry of Information in a statement on December 4 said “Nigeria’s representation is very much in line with our status as Africa’s leading Sovereign voice and player in climate action…It is imperative to point out that the overall Nigerian delegation to COP-28 comprises Government-sponsored (Federal and State Governments) and non-government-sponsored participants (from Private Companies, NGOs, CSOs, Media, academia, etc). The Federal Government-funded delegation is made up of a total of 422 persons.”

Boko Haram financiers

Four Boko Haram financiers were convicted and sentenced to prison in Nigeria on December 4. They pleaded guilty to charges against them during a special trial at a Federal High Court in Abuja. One of the convicts, Modu Aisami, sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, was accused of providing funds for the terrorist group by buying food products and knowing the proceeds would be used to commit a terrorist act, local media the Vanguard Nigeria reports. The other convicts were each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, the Vanguard reports.

Increment of pension stipends

The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) has submitted a report on pension harmonisation to the Nigerian Government, suggesting that federal civil service pensioners in the West African country may receive a raise in their stipends in 2024, local media Punch Nigeria reports . Punch Nigeria quotes the chairman of the NSIWC in a statement to the Nigeria Union of Pensioners saying “The chairman of the commission informed his guests that the commission had forwarded to the government sometime in May 2023, its report on the harmonisation of pensions for consideration after synthesising inputs from relevant stakeholders, including pension unions, and the availability of funds, and that the commission was regularly following this up since it would have a bearing in considering pension increases in 2024.”

Air force bomb attack

At least 30 people were killed when a military jet dropped a bomb at Tudun Biri village in the Kaduna state of Nigeria during Maulud, the celebration of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad on December 3, Punch Nigeria reported. The Nigerian Air Force denied involvement in the attack in a statement released on December 4. “The news making the rounds alleging that Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft accidentally killed innocent civilians in Kaduna is false. Please be informed that the NAF has not carried out any air operations within Kaduna State and environs in the last 24 hours,” the director of public relations for the NAF said. However, Punch Nigeria reports that the Nigerian commissioner of internal security and home affairs in a statement admitted that the incident was a result of a routine mission against terrorists.

National policy on welding

Nigeria's minister of innovation, science and technology, has said that the West African nation suffered a $10 billion annual revenue loss caused by the importation of welders with international certification due to the lack of accreditation of local welders. At the unveiling of the country's n National Policy on Welding and Welding-related Fields on December 4, the minister is quoted by Vanguard Nigeria saying, “It is concerning that the lack of internationally recognised – certification of industry practitioners has prevented our indigenous welding sector, which should be making a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s economy, from exploiting myriads of opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas industry and exporting them to an influx of foreign welding personnel.”

Out of all participating nations, Nigeria presented 1,411 delegates to the event -  the third highest number globally, a tie with China and the largest from Africa.

Nigerians have criticized not only the number of delegates presented by the government, but also the credibility of some of the attendees and their affiliations, and relevance to the course. Many others are concerned about the government’s flamboyant expenditure on international travel and sponsorship amid the current economic crisis.

A few controversial names that appeared on the list presented by Nigeria and published by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), included Lebanese-Nigerian businessman, Gilbert Chagoury named as a confidante of the president. Another is TV host and actress Toke Makinwa, whose inclusion has caused a stir.

Amidst the backlash, the Senior Special Aide to the president, Temitope Ajayi has sought to respond to some claims by citizens on social media in an article titled, “Nigeria at COP28: Separating the facts from fiction.”

 “In Nigeria like so many other countries, interested parties comprising government officials from both the Federal and sub-national governments, business leaders, environmentalists, climate activists and journalists are present in Dubai. Also participating are agencies of government such as the NNPC and its subsidiaries, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, NIMASA, NDDC,” he wrote.

He added, “Many youth organisations from Nigeria especially from the Northern and Niger-Delta regions whose lives and livelihoods are most impacted by desert encroachment and hydrocarbon activities are also represented. The President of Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lokpobiri, leads a pan-Ijaw delegation of more than 15 people who registered as parties from Nigeria. Among delegates from Nigeria are also over 20 journalists from various media houses,” he wrote.

Ajayi did not, however, clarify the number of delegates being sponsored by the government and those who are privately sponsored.

The provisional delegates list published by UNFCCC indicates that about 81,000 delegates have registered to attend the summit. UAE tops with 4,409 delegates with Brazil following with 3,081.

The Conference of the Parties to the Convention ( COP), under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), annually assembles member countries to establish ambitions, responsibilities, and evaluate climate measures. 

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the COP 28 Leadership Pavilion, a segment of the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP 28), as reported by the Times of India. Modi, scheduled to address the World Climate Summit Action's opening session, is engaged in the High-Level Segment of COP28, conducted under the UAE's presidency from November 28 to December 12. At COP26, Modi pledged the "Panchamrit" goal, aiming to achieve 500 GW of non-fossil electricity capacity, generate half of the energy from renewables, reduce emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030, cut emissions intensity of GDP by 45%, and attain net-zero emissions by 2070.

Delhi Supreme Court directs Tamil Nadu Governor to confer with Chief Minister on Bill deadlock

The Supreme Court of Delhi has instructed Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi to hold discussions with Chief Minister MK Stalin to resolve the deadlock arising from the governor's refusal to grant assent to bills passed by the state legislative assembly. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, leading the court, emphasized the urgency of resolving the impasse and suggested a dialogue between the governor and chief minister. The court has set December 11 as the hearing date, recognizing the constitutional significance of the matter and referencing Article 200, which restricts the governor from sending bills to the President after their readoption by the legislative assembly. The court had earlier questioned the governor's delay in assenting to bills, highlighting that they had been pending since January 2020.

Indian markets hit record high as nifty soars; economy's robust growth boosts investor sentiment

Indian share markets continued their winning streak for the fourth consecutive day, witnessing a surge in both the BSE Sensex and Nifty. The BSE Sensex climbed 308.52 points to 67,296.96, while the Nifty rose by 96.1 points, reaching a new record high of 20,229.25 and later peaking at 20,245.20. Key gainers in the Sensex included Larsen & Toubro, NTPC, and Asian Paints, contributing to the positive trend. Despite notable gains, some companies like Wipro, HCL Tech, and Infosys experienced a lag. The market's optimistic sentiment was fueled by India maintaining its position as the world's fastest-growing major economy, boasting a GDP expansion of 7.6% in the September quarter, as reported by the Indian Express.

Bomb threats rattle Bengaluru schools ; authorities swiftly evacuate students and initiate thorough Searches

Several schools in Bengaluru, southern India, faced bomb threats on Friday, prompting immediate action from school authorities and law enforcement. Threats conveyed through emails claimed the presence of explosives on school premises, leading to the evacuation of students and the involvement of the police . Bomb disposal squads and sniffer dogs were deployed for comprehensive searches across the schools. Despite the extensive efforts, no suspicious items have been found so far, raising suspicions that the threats may be hoaxes. Around 60 schools in the city were reported to have received threatening emails, heightening concerns and necessitating a thorough investigation.

He further announced plans to convene a meeting to facilitate the dispatch of a high-level delegation to Tehran, Iran, to provide necessary assistance to the seafarers. Marcos entrusted the delegation's leadership to DENR Secretary Ma. Antonio Yulo-Loyzaga, who would represent the Philippines at COP28 on his behalf.

The hostage situation unfolded after Israeli authorities reported the seizure of a British-owned cargo ship operated by the Japanese company Nippon Yusen K.K. (NYK Line) in the Red Sea by armed groups, including Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The ship's crew consists of individuals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the seizure, stating it was in support of Palestinians allegedly massacred by Israel. They warned against any vessels engaging with Israel in the Red Sea.

The Israel Defense Forces described the hijacking as a "very grave incident of global consequence," emphasizing that the ship was not Israeli, and the crew did not include an Israeli citizen.

President Marcos had initially planned to advocate for climate change mitigation projects and funding commitments at COP28. His decision to prioritize the hostage crisis underscores the immediate challenges and responsibilities faced by national leaders in responding to unforeseen crises.

Achieving this target would necessitate substantial investments from nations to transition to sustainable cooling technologies, potentially increasing the cost of such products.

The final decisions of nations regarding the cooling pledge are anticipated to be announced during the annual climate conference in Dubai, scheduled from November 30 to December 12.

India and China, both significant global economies and carbon emitters, boasting a combined population of over 2.8 billion, play pivotal roles in the success of this cooling initiative.

India is "probably the single most important country for this pledge," Brian Dean, head of energy efficiency and cooling at Sustainable Energy for All said, which helped to develop the pledge.

"They've been ahead of the curve on doing what's needed for their country on cooling with the India Cooling Action Plan. And it would be a significant global signal if they were to sign the pledge," he said.

Government officials have stated that New Delhi is unwilling to adopt goals that exceed the commitments made in 1992 under the international Montreal Protocol, which regulates the production and utilization of ozone-depleting substances and hydrofluorocarbons found in refrigeration systems, air conditioners, and insulating foams.

The Indian Ministry of Environment has not responded to a comment request, and the officials have chosen to remain anonymous, as India's position is currently under deliberation.

As per its independently declared cooling action plan in 2019, India's objective is to decrease its energy demand for cooling in various sectors by 20% to 25% by 2038.

According to recent data released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) this week, the demand for electricity in India attributed to residential air conditioning is projected to surge by a factor of nine by the year 2050. This growth is anticipated to surpass the increase in consumption for all other major household appliances.

In the period from 2019 to 2022, India's electricity usage for air conditioning witnessed a 21% rise, and roughly 10% of the nation's total electricity consumption is now attributed to these cooling devices. India's per capita carbon emissions currently stand at approximately 2 metric tons, in contrast to the global average of around 5 metric tons.